Signal apparatus



Patented July 3, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT o'F'FicE.

FREDERICK KLEIN, OF COLLEGE POINT, NEW YORK.

SIGNAL APPARATUS.

Application filedSepteniber'5Q19tZ4, Serial'No. 736,004.

liable in operation-to efi'ect a warning signal when there is still a sufficient residue of fuel to carry the vehicle a reasonable distance.

The invention is not'limited in its application to the specific relation mentioned, but

in its broader aspect'sis useful in fluid feed systems whether operated by pressure or by vacuum intermittently or continuously and regardless what the liquid cont-rolled.

A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a closed tanker receptacle disposed in the fuel'line betweenthe fuel reservoir and the vacuum tank. Preferably the vacuum clla'n'iber of the vacuum tank connects directly with a dip pipe, entering the closed receptacle orchamber of the indicator and low pressure in the dip plpe servesto draw the fuel from the reservoir into the indicator chamber. VVhenever the supply fails and the'level in the indicator chamber falls below apredeterinined point the low pres} sure in the dip pipe .Wlll pneumatically opcrate an alarm device which may be a visible indicator if desired, but is prefer ably an audible alarm signal in the nature of a" whistle. Features of importance which are preferably incorporated .in my device are means for reserving a certain quantity of liquid in the dip pipe in order to compensate for the lag in flow at tlie"beginning of suction in the vacuum tank and means for preventing any siphonic action from the dip pipe into the vacuum tank which would tend to flood the vacuum tank and interfere withproper operationof system. Apparatus embodying the invention may be manufactured at comparatively small expense and may bereadily attached inthej fuel line without any need for employing skilled mechanics. For convenienceotao lilfillmiil t lmay form the inlet and outlet ducts" to the indicator chamber as short threaded nipples which may be respectively connected to the two threaded members of the usual coupling between the supply line and the intake nipple of the vacuum tank, thus eliminating the necessity for cutting m.- threading sections of the gasoline supplyline. The indicating device may be and preferably is supported directly on the vacuum tank.

Another feature of the invention. is the use of a signal controlling valve which is entrained to seating positionfor shutting off the air duct by the surface friction in the flow of the liquid therethrough. This valve is of wider application in other relations where the flow of liquid is intended to effect somesort of control, for instance, to control the flow of other fluid regardless whetherfor operating a signal or for some other purposes.

With theabove noted and other objects in view, theinvention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangementsof parts as willbemore fully hereinafter described andpointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figurel is a somewhat diagrammatic view of the vacuum feed system ofan automatic vehicle showing the position occupied by my improved alarm device.

Fi ure 2 is an enlarged vertical, sectional viewthrough' the alarm device.

The conventional vacuum feed systemof an automotive vehicle includes a gasoline storage tank .10 connected by a pipe linell to a vacuum tank 12. A pipe 1 connects the upper end of the vacuum tank with the intake manifold 13 of the engine.

1 y Suction is intermittently applied through pipe 14- to the float controlledsuction filling chamber 12 of the vacuum tank, and the suction chamber of the tankintermittently empties into a chamber or emptying tank 12* which drawsto the carburetor 17 through a pipe line 18. The specific construction and operirtion of the vacuum system need not be set forthin detail, as it is well" understood, and

taken byitself, is'not my invention.

M invention from one important aspect mincernm'l with the constiiifitioii andlii' loo rangement of an indicator to give notice that the supply of fuel in the main storage tank is exhausted or that an obstruction exists in the line preventing its flow when suction is applied. The indicator comprises a container shown in its entirety at in Figure 1 and shown in detail in Figure 2. The unit may be provided with legs a se cured to bracket 1) on the vacuum tank and pipe 11 from the reservoir may deliver to the unit through elbow fitting 33 threaded in the cover 22 which is secured upon the container while a pipe connected to elbow outlet fitting 25 in the cover 22 delivers to the lower end thereof.

the vacuum tank. The cover plate 22 preferably includes a dip pipe 23 which extends.

preferably nearly to the bottom of the container 1 and is formed with an enlarged threaded upper end 24 into which the outlet nipple depression 25 may be screwed. A cup-like or llQlIll-SPllCl'lCill cavity 26 in the center of the cover is integrally connected by an air pipe 27 with a tapered valve seat 28 formed in the dip pipe near Preferably the cover is cast in one integral piece with the dip pipe, the cavity, the air pipe and the valve seat. An audible signal, such for instance as conventional double convex whistle 29 may be mounted in an annular groove 30 at the upper end ofthe hemi-spherical cavity. Suction through the nipple 25 will draw air through the duct 27 in the air pipe and through the whistle to sound the latter unless the ductis cut off as b Y the bevelled face .of a sliding valve 31, wiich may cooperate with the valve seat in the dip pipe. This valve is preferably of general cylindical shape and of material which will not float in gasoline or in the particular liquid pass ing through the system. It normally rests upon the bottom ot the container and is formed at its lower end with an HPPI'UXI- mately semi-circular cutaway portion 32 to permit flow of liquid thereunder, through the base 31 in the valve and up the dip pipe. A vent hole 34 is arranged in the dip pipe, preferably below the cover, for purposes appearing hereinafter. V

The manner of operation is substantially as follows:

7 Assume the vacuum tank 12 to be empty and the storage tank 10 to be charged and assume also that there is no liquid in the container of the indicator 20. Since the valve 31 is at this time resting on the bottom sectional area of the air duct and in view of the fact that the dip pipe is open to the nterior oi the container both through the valve 31 and the vent hole 34, air will be withdrawn from thischamber and flow of gasoline from the storage tank is in tiated by suction. The alarm will continue to sound until the liquid reaches the lower end of the dip pipe, at the level a-a. Suction continuing. the liquid will then start, to be drawn upward in the .dip pipe past gate 32 andupward through the bore 31 of the valve. stricted passage and up through the dip pipe will serve to lift the valve, not by flotation however, but rather by the mechanical action or surface friction of the upwardly flowing liquid. The valve, upon being moved upward against its seat 28 will cut ofi the air ductto the whistle and consequently stop the signal from sounding. Inasmuch as the passage through the control valve smaller than the cross sectional area of the dip pipe continuing suction in the dip pipe will not only pull gasoline into the vacuum tank but will continue to suck air from the interior of the container through the vent hole 34 until the vent hole is sealed by the liquid'level rising to the line Z)b, at which-point balance or equilibrium is established. V

' In the ordinary operation of the vacuum tank, the suction is intermittently applied,

the suction chamber 12" of the vacuum tank being intermittentl filled and emptied. After the suction c amber of the tank has been filled therefor',=suction in the dip pipe 23 will cease. Any substantial siphonic action which might tend to drain the higher signalling container 20 even when no suction is applied to the lower vacuum tank is prevented by the uncovering of the vent hole 34. \Vhen the application of suction from the vacuum, tank ceases, the valve drops to the bottom, but the duct 27 will be liquid sealed by the gasoline standing in the dip pipe. Before this duct can again be exposed, and in fact shortly after suction is again applied, the-valve 31 will again rise by the surface friction of the flowing liquid and will positively cutoff the air passage.

nipple'25, fuel is thereby withdrawn from The flow of liquid through this reall container 20 and admitted to the vacuunr tank, while the level in container 20 is maintained substantially constant at line bb by entry of fuel drawn from the reservoir.

oughly reliable.

through. i The whistleis sounded therefor when there is still a residualsupply ofgasoline in the vacuum tank which would ordinarily be suflicient to carry the vehicleto the nearest filling or service station. g

It will be understood that while I have shown an ordinary bi-convex whistle signal and while this type is preferred other indicating devices ma be used to advantage.

The field of use ulne'ss of my apparatus is not limited to fuel supply systems but may be used as a flow indicator in various systems whether operated by vacuum or pressure. In the claims I use the terms pressure difierential as generic to pressure or vacuum operation. Where the liquid is conveyed by a force-feed operation, the pneumatic signal would of course, be sounded by blowing out rather than sucking in, the valve construction remaining the same as heretofore described.

My attachment may be easily applied in the relation shown without the services of an expert mechanic, may be readily assembled and disassembled for purposes of cleaning and repair.v Obviously the container may be mounted in relations other than that specifically-shown.

Where a float valve is used, strengthand durability is ordinarily sacrificed for lightness and said float is subject to disorder and to jamming Where onthe other hand, my solid 'unitary liquid-entrained valve is thor- The valve arrangement shown while preferred in the specific relation described, is

more generic application ;in numerous other relations whether for signall ng or for other purposes. It Wlll be seen that thus valve may serve, for instance, to control a port for 1 liquid or gas flow respon'siveto the flowof another liquid." It will thus be seen that there is herein described apparatus in*which thev several features of this invention are embodied, and

which apparatus in its action attains the various objects of ,theinvention and is well suited to meet the requirements ofpractical use. i

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that allma-tter contained in the above description or be interpreted as illustrative andnot in a limiting sense. 3 a a 1 Having thus described In invention what I claim as new and what desire to secure by Letters Patent is: r n

1. A fluid controlled system including a source ofli uid, a pipe, means applyinga pressure di erential to cause flow of liquid from said source through said pipe, aduct sure difierential, an air duct communicating with the pipe, a signal associated with said duct and responsive to the flow of air through said duct anda valve in the path of liquid flow movable to air duct closing position under a predetermined condition of liquid flow. i

3. A liquid supply qstem including a pipe, through which liquld will flow by pressure differential, and air duct communicating with the pipe, a signal associated with said duct and responsive to the flow of air through said duct, and a valve in the path of liquid flow and movable to air duct closing position by the surface friction of the flowing liquid. c i 1 4. A liquid supply system including a pipe, throu h which liquid will flow by pressure di erential, an-air duct communieating with the pipe, a signal controlled by the air duct, a valve in the pipe for cutting off the air duct and movable to air duct maintained out of air duct closing position when the surface friction caused by liquid flow is below a predetermined minimum.

5. A device of theclass described in claim 4 wherein the flow pipe is vertically disposed and the flowof liquid is upwa therethrough so that in the absence of the liquid flowthe valve is heldout of air duct closi ng position by gravity. i f

6. A liquid flow indicator of the typeincludin a pipe through which liquid, the flow 0 which is to be indicated is propelled under differential pressure, said indicator having an airduct communicating therewith, a signal associated with said duct, and responsive to air flow therethrough and a liquid flowing through the pipe.

7. In"a%va cuum feed system, a vacuum tank including a vacuum filling chamber and an emptying chamber, an indicator chamber in the feed fuel lines in series with the first mentioned chambers and having sounding shown in the accompanying drawmgs shall means adapted to be pneumatically operated by suction of the feed system upon failure line through which liquid is removedfrom Q the a container, said line extending into the conta1ner,an"air line communicatingwith said first line, a. valve"controlledyby liquid withdrawn through said first line and adapted to cut' off the air line and a signal responsive to the flow of air through the air line and operable when the rate of withdrawal of the liquid from the container is less than a )redeterminedminimum and a source of di erentialpressure for propelling the liquid and operatingthe signal.

9. In combination, a container, a vacuum line through which liquid is drawn from the container, said vacuum line terminating in a suction pipe which extends into the container, an air line communicating with the suction pipe, a valve controlled by liquid drawn through the suction pipe and adapted to cut off the air line and a signal pneumatica-lly controlled by the air line and operable when the liquid level in the container falls below a predetermined level.-

10. In combination, a container, a vacuum line through which liquid is drawn from the container, said vacuum line terminating in a suction pipe, which dips into the container, an air line" communicating with the dip pipe, a valve controlled by liquid drawn through the dip pipe and adapted to cut off the air line, and a signal pneumatically controlled by the air line and operable when the liquid level in the container falls below the lower end of the dip pipe.

11. A container, means for delivering liquid thereto, a'vacuum' line terminating in a dip pipe disposed within the container, for .v

withdrawing liquid from the container, an air duct communicating with the dip pipe, a slide valve correlated with the dip pipe controlled by the surface friction of liquid sucked therethrough and adaptedto cut off the air duct and a signal actuated by flow of air through the duct and operable when the liquid in the container fallsb'elow a predetermined level.

12. Thecombination set forth in claim 10 in which a vent is provided at the upper end of the dip pipe for preventing the contents of the pipe and container from being.- siphoned out in the absence of suction.

13. An alarm device of the class described including a liquid receptacle, a pipe dipping into the receptacle and through which liquid is adapted to be withdrawn, a signalcontrolling air, duct opening into the dip pipe, a

slide valve in the dip pipe operable by liquid flow to cut oil the air duct, said air duct being normally sealed by the liquid in the container upon cessation of suction in said 14 In a device of the class described; a

I valve in the dip pipe operable under the infiuence of liquid flow therethrough to cut off the air port and adapted to gravitationally descend from airport closing position upon cessation of such flow. r i

15. In a device of the class described a container, a'suction dip pipe extending thereinto,- an inlet through which liquid is adapted to be sucked into the container, a" signal, an air duct controllinv the same and communicating with the dip pipe, a slide valve in the dip ipe, operable under the influence of liquid ow therethrough to cut off the air port and adaptedto gravitationally descend from air port closing; position upon cessation of such flow and a vent in the dip pipe for preventing liquid from being siphoned from the reservoir when no suction is applied.

16. In a device of the class described, a container, a suction dip pipe extending thereinto, an inlet through which liquid is adapted to be sucked into the container, a signal, an air duct controlling the same and communicating with the dip pipe, a cylindrical slide valve in the dip pipe operable under the influence ofliquid flow therethrough to cut ofi'qthe air port and adapted to gravitationally descend from air port closing position uponcessation' of said flow and a vent near the upper end of the dip ipe and within the container determining t ie normal liquid level and preventing siphonic action from the dip pipe when nil-suction is applied.

17. In a device of the class described a container, a suction dip pipe extending there into, an inlet through which liquid is adapted to be sueked'into the container, asignal,

a slide valve in:the dip pipe'controlling the flow of liquid therethro'ugh' to initiate upward movement thereof. v

y 18. In'avacuum feed system, the combination with an engine intake manifold of a vacuum tankoperated therefrom, a storage tank and a pipe line connecting, them, an alarm unit adjacent the vacuum tank operated pneumatically" front the intake manifold, and in the path of liquid flow from the storage to the vacuum tank and a control member norn'mlly'iniposition to permit pneumatic op'eration'of theialarm unit and err trained by the flow of liquid through the alarm unit to interrupt the application of suction for alarmoperation; 19. Ina vacuum feedsybtem, the combina tion with an engine intake nia'nifold of a vacuum tank operated therefrom, a storage tank' and a pipe line connecting them, of a liquid receptacle in the pipeline and supported from the vacuum tank, an alarm 'dethe flow of liquid through the alarm unit to vice associated with the receptacle for pneuinterrupt the application of suction for matic operation from said manifold in order alarm operation. to indicate failure of liquid flow from the Signed at New York in the county of New storage tank and a control member nor- York and State of New York this 3rd day mally in position to permit pneumatic operof September, A. D. 1924.

ation of the alarm unit and entrained by FREDERICK KLEIN. 

